ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves -- yes, OUR Atlanta Braves -- are the talk of baseball.
A team that few predicted would be very good has the second-best record in the National League. On top of that, they’re young, talented and fun to watch.
The latest Braves' victory was thanks to a guy who grew up right here in Georgia.
Charlie Culberson -- who went to Calhoun High School in Gordon County -- hit a game-ending, two-run homer to lift the Atlanta Braves to a 4-2 win over the Washington Nationals on Sunday.
"I don't really know what to say -- right place, right time," Culberson said. "Things just kind of work out. It doesn't get old. It's a lot of fun."
TRENDING STORIES:
It was the second time this week that Culberson delivered a pinch-hit homer in the ninth inning, marking Atlanta's ninth victory in its last at-bat.
Culberson -- who was drafted by the San Francisco Giants with the 51st overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft -- is certainly making his hometown proud.
"I think the Braves are beginning to find out something we in Calhoun knew: the boy can play. He's fun to watch," said Chip Henderson, Culberson's high school coach.
Henderson told Channel 2 Sports Director Zach Klein he watched Culberson grow from a 5-foot, 8-inch freshman in 2004 to a first-round draft pick in 2007.
"He's one of those players that comes along once in a lifetime," Henderson said.
Henderson said he's even more impressed with the example Culberson sets for kids in the community.
"All too often we see kids growing up mimicking these sports figures that aren't very high character," Henderson said. "Charlie Culberson is just the opposite. He's a professional on and off the field."